{"id":503759,"date":"2025-12-29T19:49:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T19:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/503759\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T19:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T19:49:14","slug":"lebron-james-accused-of-disrespecting-the-national-anthem-with-his-behavior-before-lakers-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/503759\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James accused of ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem with his behavior before Lakers game"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 09:29 EST, 29 December 2025 | Updated: 10:49 EST, 29 December 2025 <\/p>\n

NBA<\/a> legend LeBron James<\/a>\u00a0has come under fire for apparently ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem prior to a Los Angeles<\/a> Lakers game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Christmas<\/a> Day, ‘King James’ took to the court for the Lakers clash with the Houston Rockets<\/a>, where he was unable to prevent a 119-96 defeat on the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

James scored 18 points on the night, the most for the Lakers except for Luka Doncic, as well as recording five assists and two rebounds.<\/p>\n

However, after the game, fans weren’t talking about the 40-year-old’s showing on the court and, rather, were discussing his theatrics prior to tip-off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Footage showed James warming up while a rendition of the\u00a0Star-Spangled Banner was performed and, seemingly, even took the opportunity to practice his golf swing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Lakers star has previously admitted in recent months that he’s become infatuated with golf and has been spotted on the course on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n

\"LeBron \"The <\/p>\n

LeBron James has come under fire for seemingly practicing his golf swing while a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner played at prior to tip-off at the Lakers game on Christmas Day<\/p>\n

\"Fans <\/p>\n

Fans have since labelled the Lakers star as ‘disrespectful’ for his pre-game theatrics<\/p>\n

However, fans were not happy with James using the national anthem as a chance to get some practice swings and made sure their feelings were known on socials.<\/p>\n

In the comment section to an ESPN video of James’ theatrics, one fan said: ‘And per usual disrespecting our national anthem’.<\/p>\n

Another wrote: ‘most unlikeable athlete in history’.<\/p>\n

‘Disrespecting the flag in the country that made him a millionaire,’ one user said.<\/p>\n

One disgruntled fan said: ‘Exactly why he will never be the GOAT. SO DISRESPECTFUL’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prior to the Christmas Day clash with the Rockets, the NBA veteran admitted that he would rather be at home with his family than playing in the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking to media in the build-up, James said: ‘I’d much rather be at home with my family. But I mean, it’s the game, it’s the game I love.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘It’s the game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It’s always been an honor to play it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" \"Fans <\/p>\n

Fans did not hold back as they weighed in on the viral clip<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The 4-time MVP has admitted that he’s become obsessed with golf in recent months<\/p>\n

‘Obviously, I’m gonna be completely honest, I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But our number is called, so we have to go out and perform and I look forward to it’.<\/p>\n

Back in August, meanwhile, James admitted that golf had become his new addiction and, since then, he’s been spotted on the fairway on multiple occasions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Addicted. I’m sorry. I know, yep, that’s it. Yep. Rain and everything,’ James said on his Instagram story back in the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry also became prolific golfers during their playing days.<\/p>\n

Curry even mocked LeBron for his swing once – even going so far as to impersonate James<\/a> on-course at the American Century Championship celebrity tournament in Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n

‘Rookie hazing,’ Curry called it. ‘He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week and he told me how much fun he had.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘You know, there’s something to work with that swing, though. That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and a good foundation, and if he spends a little bit of time practicing, a little bit of coaching, he’s got potential for sure. So, I’m excited to see it.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

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